This is how long to practice .....

I just bought a new book ("Mastering machine applique" 2nd edition, by Harriet Hargrave) and in it I found the following statement:

"A study at Johns Hopkins University found that it takes six hours to permanently store any new physical skill into your memory. If the storage process is interrupted by learning another new skill, the first lesson may be erased. The study showed that time itself is a very powerful component of learning; it is not enough to simply practice something, you have to allow time for the brain to encode the new skill. "

I equate this to what a lot of people refer to as "muscle memory". I did a quick think about how long it took me to "get" FMQ stipling, and if I think about the hours of JUST stipling, it's about right.

I didn't double check the reference to Johns Hopkins, but I have no reason to doubt it.

Thought it was interesting enough to pass on.

May your stitches always be straight, your seams always lie flat, and your grain never be biased against you.

Yes, that sounds about right. Thinking back on the stuff I am learning about FMQ, it has taken approximately 2 hours of continuous practice to get my curves smooth, then another 3-4 hours trying to get the pattern down I am FMQ'ing so that it flows smoothly when I work on my poor Featherweight (poor in that it is the only machine I can successfully use to FMQ in my house).

It does take awhile, but boy is it worth it. The recent quilts I have FMQ'd are really looking good now. It's taken me about 40+ hours over the last year to get the work to look somewhat decent. I don't do much stipple, just a curvy line and occasional loop or ivy leaf or monkey face.

I have Harriet's book - it was my first purchase regarding FMQ. I can assure you that some "slow learners" take a lot more time to stop from sewing too fastly or too slowly...then all of a sudden it was like a light switch being turned on and now it just 'happens'. I found out about dissolveable thread for the first time by reading her book and there were lightbulb moments throughout my reading of it. One of the better purchases that I have made.